Title:The Heterogeneity of Glioma Stem Cells
VOLUME: 9 ISSUE: 2
Author(s):Suojun Zhang, Feng Wan, Lin Han, Fei Ye, Dongsheng Guo and Ting Lei
Affiliation:Department of Neurosurgery and Chinese-German Lab of Molecular Neurooncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Avenue 1095#, Wuhan 430030, PR China.
Keywords:Glioblastoma, glioma stem cells, heterogeneity.
Abstract:Glioblastoma, a highly lethal brain tumor, features extensive heterogeneity at the cellular and
molecular levels. The discovery of glioma stem cells (GSCs) supports a new paradigm in tumor biology and
therapeutic targeting. GSCs contribute to the cellular origin of primary gliomas and the recurrence of
malignant gliomas after traditional treatments. A growing body of evidence suggests that GSCs, just as the
bulk tumor cells, are heterogeneous with phenotypic and genetic complexity. Heterogeneous GSCs may add to
glioblastoma heterogeneity and impact response to current therapies. A better understanding of GSC heterogeneity is
required to facilitate the design of more effective therapies against this highly malignant brain tumor.
